Locked-in syndrome (LIS), also known as pseudocoma, is a complex medical condition. It presents with quadriplegia, bulbar palsy and whole-body sensory loss due to damage in the brain stem.
Cognition, vertical eye movement, blinking and hearing are preserved in patients who have this condition.
A patient is aware but cannot move or communicate verbally due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body except for vertical eye movements and blinking.
The average age of Locked-in syndrome has generally ranged from 30-50 years, with males being the most effected.
What are the types of Locked-in syndrome?
There are three main types of Locked-in syndrome.
Classic Form
The classic form of Locked-in syndrome is an individual who suffered a stroke or traumatic injury. He or she suffers from quadriplegia and an inability to speak. They have total immobility, with the ability to perform vertical eye movements, blink and maintain a normal level of consciousness.
Incomplete Form
The incomplete form of Locked-in syndrome also presents as a conscious and aware individual who cannot move or speak. With this form they retain some voluntary movement along with to blinking and vertical eye movement. This can be horizontal eye movement or even very small movements in another area of the face or body.
Total Form
The total form of Locked-in syndrome leaves the individual with total body paralysis, and loss of vertical eye movements. The individual generally cannot communicate in any way, including using an eye gaze device.
In classical and incomplete forms, consciousness if often evaluated by blink response or eye movement response to questions. For individuals with these types of LIS, eye-gaze switches, eye tracking, or eye-gaze devices can be utilised to control electronic devices such as a tablet or computer to communicate functionally.
How we can help
Ay Synergy, we ensure we build our complex care at your home around the individuals’ symptoms, with the needs and wishes of each client with Locked-in syndrome taken into account to create a bespoke care plan, which is designed to maximise the quality of life.
We use communication with the most appropriate aids and methods, this is a vital component in allowing the client to talk with the care team, express their choices and provide consent.
Contact the team at Synergy Complex Care today to find out how we can help support your loved one with Locked-in syndrome and give the maximum quality of life for the individual.